Obit: Lukas, Harriet A. "Hattie" (1913 - 2011)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Lukas, Filipowicz, Starolec, Bennington, Cherney, Jackson

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 11/212011

Lukas, Harriet A. "Hattie" (16 MAR 1913 - 17 NOV 2011)

Harriet A. "Hattie" Lukas, age 98, of Marshfield, formerly of Thorp, passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Kevin Cherney, Paul Lukas, Jerry Bennington, Nathan Bennington, Jeff Osby and Mathew Osby. Visitation will be held at the church, on Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. 

Harriet A. Filipowicz was born March 16, 1913, in Thorp, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Starolec) Filipowicz. She received her elementary education at Sunny Lawn School in the Town of Withee. Harriet was united in marriage to Peter Lukas Aug. 13, 1935, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill. They worked in Chicago for two years, followed by two years on her parent's farm and two years in Gilman. After buying Peter's family farm in the town of Withee, they farmed for 34 years. In 1975, they retired and moved to Marshfield. Harriet and Peter enjoyed traveling with their son Peter Jr. They spent many summers at their son's second home in Alaska. They enjoyed fishing along the Kenai Peninsula and all the beautiful scenery in Alaska. In addition, they both spent as much time as they could with their grandchildren, teaching them the fine art of fishing.

She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Marshfield and an honorary member of the Christian Mothers at Sacred Heart Church. Harriet served as secretary for St. Hedwig's Altar Society for 10 years, a 4-H Club Leader, in Foods and Nutrition, for 5 years for the Pine Valley 4-H Club, and was a volunteer at the St John's and Parkview Meal Center for over 25 years.

Her hobbies included gardening - she had the most amazing green thumb, cooking, baking - the best apple pie slices and pierogi in the state, reading, and fishing. 

Harriet is survived by two sons, James (Gayle) Lukas of Lena, Robert Lukas of Thorp; one daughter, Patricia (Jerry) Bennington of Marshfield; 8 grandchildren, Betty Lukas Blake and Brenda Lukas Jones, both of Seattle, Wash., Paul Lukas of Oconto, Christine (Kevin) Cherney of Green Bay, Leslie Lukas of Madison, Celeste Jackson of Spencer, Nathan (Raquel) Bennington of Marshfield, and Jerry (Jennifer) Bennington of Fort Worth, Texas; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Peter, on Sept. 8, 1998; one son, Peter Jr., on July 9, 1998; one grandson, Mark Lukas, in 1996, and by 10 brothers and sisters.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.